Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

A fter last night's encounter with the strange orb, I inspect my body in the small mirror beside my bed, looking for anything out of the ordinary. After a few minutes of not finding anything unusual, I look inward, exploring my powers.

The cool, dark tendrils of my shadows bend and curl inside me, trying to reach out to my surroundings. I pull them back, turning to the light. Its warm glow flickers, a deceiving ember ready to ignite and burn like wildfire. I push it down, glancing back at my hand, thinking it will hold an answer.

What did the Sidus man mean about protecting the orb, and from who, the guards?

If he didn't want it to fall into the wrong hands, why then pass it to a stranger? One who might very well have destroyed it merely by touch. And if by some miracle it still exists, hidden somewhere deep within, how will I go about accessing and releasing it? I don't need the added complication to my already precarious abilities, but if it is inside me, I need to remove it in case it causes havoc.

Another thing to worry about but something that will have to wait for now.

Quickly changing into my dark clothes and long boots and strapping my daggers to my side, I throw on my hooded cloak before heading out, shadowing through the void to a building near the edges of the Sidus town.

It doesn't take me long to find them, even in the darkness of night.

Ryuu, my mother, and their close friends and allies Theon and Warrick are spread out among the small bushes and trees that sit before the forest-covered wall and shield.

Silently, they all watch and wait.

Theon is about the same height as Ryuu, his thin frame and build a deception many would look upon as weak. I would have assumed the same had I not seen him fight with such raw power and strength. Warrick is a half a head shorter than him, though his build is much bulkier and strong. I've seen him take out a man with one punch.

As if sensing the incoming creature, my mother shoots forward, Ryuu a half a second behind her, as they rush toward the wisps of dark creatures forming.

My eyes widen as I watch five— no, six —dark creatures nearly fully form. Twice as quickly as they did the other night with me.

It seems not only are they growing in numbers but strength too.

My mother attacks the nearest creature in swift, sharp movements while Ryuu covers her with brutal attacks only meant to kill. Theon and Warrick come up behind them to attack the two rushing toward them.

But unlike any other dark creatures I've seen, these seem to fight with a purpose. Their movements aren't as sloppy, and they look to one another every now and again as if they can communicate with one another.

It is as if they are starting to grow an awareness of themselves and their surroundings.

My theory seems to be proven when a dark creature that stayed at the back of the group moves forward and, in the blink of an eye, attacks with purpose. Its movements mimic Ryuu's brutal attack as it attempts to claw down Theon's back.

A light flashes from the corner of my eye; it's there and gone before I know it. But my attention is quickly brought to the flicker of shadows growing in the darkness, the others unaware of it as they still fight the dark creatures around them.

Without a second thought, I'm on my feet, swiftly moving toward my mother and Ryuu just as a half dozen more dark creatures show up.

Still too far away, I reach down and grab one of my daggers on my thigh to fling it forward. It lands directly in the center of a creature's head and quickly brings my presence to the attention of the others.

Ryuu's head whips in my direction, his eyes narrowing as he gives me a sharp look but says no more, continuing to fight as the dark creatures surround them all.

Once I'm close enough, I attack the dark creatures, my blades slicing through their limbs easily.

"Keep one alive," my mother shouts over to me.

I frown but do as she says, helping them until there's all but one creature left. Stabbing my long blade into its strange clawed foot, I pin it to the ground as Ryuu comes up beside me and whips out chains. Theon walks up beside him and shakes off his dark robe.

While Ryuu and Theon tie up and cover the creature, I walk closer to my mother.

"Seren. What are you doing here?" She raises a sharp brow and gives me a look of annoyance.

"Helping?" I reply, my smile innocent yet deceiving.

Both my mother and Ryuu have silently yet reluctantly given me their blessing to help but have yet to allow me entry into the workings of it. I took it upon myself to come tonight in hopes that my help was needed and they would drop any further hesitations.

Warrick moves over to us, dipping his head in greeting. "I did not realize you fought that well." He gives my mother a look. "Maybe you should join us?—"

" I will decide that, Warrick." My mother gives him a glare that makes him immediately back down and agree.

Clearing his throat, he looks to the dark, rotting, and crumbling wall. "Let us keep watch for a minute to make sure no more come through tonight."

My mother's sigh is weary. "We can't be sure that will happen. The minute we leave, two dozen more could show up. We need guards out here at all times."

Warrick shakes his head. "We don't have that kind of manpower. You know that, Aloisia. Most Sidus can barely defend themselves with their abilities, let alone fight. Let us hope your plan works. It is all we have right now," he says, the worry slashed across his face as he glances to Ryuu and Theon. The creature appears to be knocked out; it's tied up, and the dark robes are wrapped around it tight. It could be easily mistaken for a bundle of weapons or a dead body.

"What plan?" I turn to my mother just as Ryuu steps up beside us. I ignore the agitated glare and focus on her.

Her face is filled with the same agitation but also with a small amount of acceptance.

"As you can see, the numbers seem to be multiplying quickly. Something needs to be done. The Caligo guards need to help," she says.

"They'll never agree to it. You know that," I reply. I don't even need to think about it, knowing it is a fact. The Caligo guards do not care about the Sidus.

My mother shares a look with Ryuu. "We're hoping after they see some evidence firsthand, they will have to move forward with a plan to secure the kingdom." She glances down at the tied-up creature, and it hits me what they are going to do. Or at least attempt.

They are going to take this creature straight to the guards.

"But how can you contain it? They move like smoke and are able to move through the wall."

"Iron," Warrick answers. "For some reason, they can't move through or beyond it. It is the only thing that seems to contain them."

"But—"

"Go home, Seren," Ryuu says, his tone leaving no room for question.

" Straight home," my mother warns, giving me a knowing look before placing a kiss on my head and turning to leave, Ryuu a step behind her.

They say their thanks to Theon and Warrick, warning them to be careful in their watch tonight, before heading toward the guard's watchtower nearest to the wall.

I turn and move quickly, heading into the shadows, and move into the void with ease before coming out on top of one of the old towers across from the watchtower. No Caligo guard enters it, as it now lies wasted to rot and is too near the crumbling wall and dark forest.

Using its darkness as cover, I keep an eye on my mother and Ryuu as they make their way toward the Caligo guards. As soon as they're a few feet away, a guard walks out, a snarl on his lips and an arrogant look on his face. His clothes are the same as most other Caligo—black attire with soft leather and thin plates of gold armor over the shoulders and chest. Some have a small insignia woven onto the right upper shoulder, revealing their high rank among the guard. But their rank does not seem to matter to the Sidus, only themselves. They think us all beneath them anyway.

My stomach churns as I watch, knowing deep down how exactly this is going to go. Either the guards will think they are lying and this is just some trick or hoax or they will blame them for bringing such a threat into the kingdom.

I catch the look in Ryuu's eyes as he stares down the guard. Nothing but raw rage is there as he attempts to talk to him.

The guard laughs at something he says, and that rage only grows. Ryuu clenches his jaw before sharing a look with my mother. She nods her head, and he quickly bends down to slice his dagger across the robes that hide the dark creature.

The Caligo guard's haughty laugh is cut off at once as he jumps a step back in horror, his eyes not leaving the unconscious creature.

Ryuu says something again, making the guard nod a sharp reply, his face now ashen. But before any relief is felt, another guard appears and whips out his sword, slicing it across the creature's neck, effectively killing it. The iron chains drop to the ground as the creature disappears.

The new guard quickly turns on Ryuu and my mother. I take a step to move toward them when I realize what I'm about to do and stop myself.

Going down there will only bring them more trouble.

I wait and watch, my fists clenched near my daggers as the new guard looks to threaten Ryuu, tipping his head toward my mother as if to threaten her too.

Ryuu gives him a thunderous look before taking my mother's hand and pulling her back toward the Sidus town.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I watch the new guard converse with the one who was shocked by the dark creature's appearance. The new guard looks to threaten him, using his sword to make his point before heading inside.

I pay them no more attention as I move quickly into the void and through the shadows to home.

My mother and Ryuu arrive a few minutes later, the tension and anger draped across them in droves.

"What happened?" I ask, feigning confusion.

Ryuu starts pacing back and forth in the small room, trying to cut off his rising temper.

My mother slides a hand down her face before turning to me, her face growing pale.

"They know."

"Who knows what?" I frown.

She gives me a pointed look, and everything in me freezes when I realize what she means. The Caligo guards know about the dark creatures. They know and still they… I shake my head, trying to clear the jolt of shock from my mind.

My mother nods her head as the impact of this and what it means settles in my veins.

"They all know?" I ask.

Ryuu releases a harsh breath. "I do not think they all are aware. The first guard was truly shocked upon seeing the creature. His reaction could not be faked, but the other guard…" He shakes his head. "It wasn't his first time to see one of those creatures. But some of them know, that much I'm sure of now."

A loud bang draws our attention to the door just as a group of Caligo storm through it.

"What is the meaning of this?" Ryuu shouts but is ignored as the Caligo guards start to upturn every piece of furniture in the house, ripping through the upholstery on the chairs and destroying any small keepsakes we've gathered over the years.

My mother pulls me toward her, and Ryuu reaches out and grabs one of the nearest guards. The guard stops and turns to him, a look of fear lighting his eyes.

"We're under orders… sir ."

"Whose orders?" Ryuu snaps.

"The royals." Another guard walks in, an arrogant smirk on his face.

"You'll be happy to know that we have decided to look into your allegations. It seems there might be some truth to them after all. The royals have declared a curfew is to be put in place to protect the Sidus."

"A curfew? Then what of this?" Ryuu grits out as he glances around at our ruined home, his eyes turning murderous as he looks back to the guard.

The guard's smirk only grows.

I clench my fists by my side as my mother's grip tightens on me. A warning I will listen to. For now.

"This?" The guard laughs, and it crawls down my spine as heat burns through my veins. "This is but a warning. Know your place or we will show you. Bring the rebels, the true killers, to us, and your curfew will be lifted."

With one last look of contempt, he turns and heads out with the rest of the Caligo guards, leaving a path of destruction in their wake.

I turn to my mother as Ryuu checks the damage. "Were they faking it? Mentioning the rebels as the killers?"

A harsh exhale leaves her lips. "No. It appears as if some seem to believe the lie that was told to them."

"Do you think the royals know?" I ask.

A light dims in her eyes as she looks at me. "My hope is that they don't, for I fear what will come of the Sidus should they already be aware."

Ryuu comes over to us, shaking his head, a small furrow forming between his brows. "I don't believe the royals passed this curfew, nor that they know about these creatures. I think the guards took it upon themselves to act in their name. I have seen it happen many times before."

"How can you be so sure? You've never met them. No one has," I reply, forgetting for a moment who I am talking to.

Ryuu scowls at me, his frown deepening, but he doesn't call me on it. "I cannot tell you with complete certainty what the truth is, but my belief is that the royals are unaware. There has always been a veil of secrecy among the Caligo guards. But there is a shift in some of them lately. A distrust and secrecy even among their own. There is something happening here. Something we do not see yet." He shares a worried look with my mother before frowning at me again.

"It's late. Let's figure it out after some sleep." My mother sighs, the exhaustion now thick and heavy in her voice.

But my mind is twisting and turning, trying to figure out if what Ryuu believes is true. It makes the thought of sleep the furthest thing from my mind.

Jarek's conversation comes back to me, reminding me that this year's guard's competition is now held inside the palace grounds while all competitors also stay in the palace.

A spark of a plan begins to form with the thought.

If Ryuu is confident that the royals aren't aware of the dark creatures, maybe it is time they find out.